I think that's the right word to use. The most important thing today was to stick three points on the board so we can begin to get back on track after an awful run of games and results. I'll be totally honest, at half time I couldn't see us coming back. I don't know how it came across on tv but I'm sure anyone at the game will agree with me when I say it was blatantly obvious that confidence was at rock bottom. Any misplaced pass or little mistake was followed by the players head dropping. I don't recall ever seeing a Norwich side that low on confidence before. Although there were a few boos at the break I got the feeling that most inside the ground understood just how fragile morale was and fair play, everyone kept singing and kept supporting, even though at times we looked hopeless. We weren't helped by an inventive West Ham performance, full of pace. Their unusual 4-6-0 formation caused us no end of problems. They always had at least one extra man in midfield (often two) and were also able to close us down quickly, doubling up on everyone and allowing us no time to get into any kind of groove, which led to mistakes, which led to heads dropping, which led to possibly the worst, most disjointed first half performance I can remember at Carrow Road for a number of years. It was certainly brave of Hughton to go with a 4-4-2. I personally thought it was the wrong choice before the game although options were somewhat limited due to fitness issues over a number of players. The first half was one way traffic. I couldn't really see from the other end but it looked as though their goal was incredibly soft, with someone totally losing Morrison in the box. In truth West Ham thoroughly deserved their half time lead and could conceivably have added to it but for once this season, we got a little bit of the rub of the green. And that luck was vital in the second half and could prove extremely vital for confidence. Jaaskaleinen made a fudge of it, and we were awarded a penalty (looked clear cut to me). Hooper smashed the ball home and suddenly a surge of energy went through the whole arena. Fans and players were given an extra 20% and we took control of a game we'd been second best in for 50 minutes. Snodgrass battled gainly throughout and his stunning free kick lifted everyone further still, especially the man himself. Now every player was chasing lost causes and fighting for everything. We still weren't playing well - we played fifty times better against Cardiff but that's football - sometimes you don't get what you deserve but I'm pleased to say that we finally got that little bit of luck that has been so lacking this season and it made a massive difference. Fer's beautiful finish at the end topped off what was an extremely improved second half. Don't be fooled, we were poor overall, but I've watched the confidence evaporate from this side over the last few weeks. The disheartening defeat to Chelsea did damage. The draw with Cardiff did even more damage and then last week, two batterings drained all confidence from each and every player. It was very evident throughout the first half and if anyone was in any doubt about the reasons for recent struggles, watching that confidence flow back into the players was the final proof. Performances will have to be better if we are to push on from this win but frankly, that's not something to worry about this evening. Hughton apparently 'laid into' the players at half time. He didn't switch the formation or personnel but there was a response and once we scored there was only going to be one winner. We should just enjoy the fact that we got a break today. The players fought for the manager and for the fans today. It might not have looked like it in the first half but they dug in and did us proud in the end. This side will not get relegated - I was 100% sure before today and am 100% sure now. We've had a tough few weeks but with a number of players set to return from injury, I suspect morale in the camp will be reversed from this morning. We now face a two-week break for internationals - another slice of luck. I expect the place will be bouncing when they reconvene before the Newcastle match. Still a long way to go but at 7.30pm I felt like we'd got through the worst part of the season and things now look much brighter again. Have a good evening everyone and OTBC
Good post. It was Pilkington who was tracking Morrison, but in the box he pulled out injured leaving Morrison free.
The Hughton argument will carry on, no doubt. I don't think today proved anything to anyone regarding whether he is the man or not. He did well at half time but as you say, I think 4 in midfield was a bad call. Enough of that anyway, we won. I completely agree we were not out best but it's brilliant to be celebrating some good luck. Howson was brilliant, full of energy and hunger to get forward. It's premature but I think you can always tell who POTS will be in the first 10 games and I think it will be that man. He's been fantastic all season and it's a shame that superb effort wasn't a few inches lower and gone straight in the top corner. Bennett and Turner worked really well, kudos to Hughton for dropping Bassong. I thought that was a really good call. I also thought Olsson was excellent, put in some brilliant blocks as well as being a threat down the left hand side. Yes, there were negatives, but I don't think there worth pointing out, because I think most of them were confidence issues. Hopefully this will kick start out season big time. OTBC
Seasons can be defined by luck. Today we were due some. The second half showed that when things go for you, you get that decision, that loose ball and ultimately the goals. It also showed great character to come back from a losing position and an unforgettable first half. Two weeks off now to build from this.
We just needed the luck to change and Jasskalainen's fumble was that slice of good fortune we have been missing all season - changed the game and gave us confidence. West Ham were smart tonight = slick, pacey and full of movement. Their passing (mostly) was accurate and inventive but they lack a killer punch - apart from the header that hit the bar I can't remember a clear chance for them. To get a win against them when we played poorly (our first half performance was the most inept I have seen in many a long year) was a big result for us - make no mistake, this could have gone horribly wrong. Howson was MOM again - full of energy, vision, drive and invention. Olsson was good, Fer too and I thought Hooper is beginning to look like the striker we paid £5m for albeit he had scraps to feed on again. Mighty relieved tonight - let's push on from here. OTBC !
What a surprise, after WEEKS of us fans saying we should play two up front, Hughton braves it and lo and behold, we win! Hughton still out for me. Regardless of the performance today, he is not the manager to take us to the next level (Places 8,9,10). Quick question, who was the substitute/norwich player/coach who Fer ran to upon scoring? Couldn't work out if it was RvW, Tettey or E.Bennett?
Spot on post Jimbo, sums it up perfectly Aside from the first 45 minutes - which were amongst the worst 45 minutes of football I've ever seen - today was a bloody brilliant day! Loved the big huddle after Leroy's goal, that was the moment of the season so far for me, these boys love wearing the shirt alright, no worries there at all.
Bassong. I don't think the formation was key to the result today really, 4-4-2 certainly looked like a mistake first half. I think it was the confidence that came from the lucky penalty, and then the excellent free kick, which was key to that second half performance. We also looked much better late on when West Ham were chasing the game, as they sacrificed the extra men in the midfield in order to put a striker on. Having said that, we're not going to play against 4-6-0 again this season, so perhaps 4-4-2 can work for us. Chance creation was still at a premium though.
Just watched the whole game again (here in Vietnam they show the late kick off for a second time at 6.00 a.m.) It's interesting because you can view the thing dispassionately the second time round. It was a lucky win overall, but I figure luck has gone against us this season so maybe that evens it up. West Ham were in total control until J's faffing about and we looked completely despondent. I thought it definitely was a penalty and J compounded his mistake by lunging in on Hooper. We weren't that good even in the second half, although a lot better after the second goal. West Ham reverted to type (long throws and hoofed balls) and they are not a particularly good team, especially once they go behind. They look like one of quite a long list of teams who may struggle against the drop. One big plus was the form of Fer and Howson over the last twenty minutes. Such a shame Tettey is out because we have the makings of a good midfield at last. Redmond was typical Redmond - exciting and profligate by turn. Long term, who knows? I imagine it's kept CH in a job for a while, especially if we can beat Palace and pick up something at Newcastle.
I like it when we win people say it's because we're ''lucky''. The first goal was a much needed confidence boost though, I don't think we won because we played with 2 strikers either, people who've been raving on about it all season probably like to think it was.
I'm not trying to be negative, Drunky, but I don't think people should get too excited about this win. Superman said 'relief', and that's what I think we should feel. We have a long way to go yet to get out of the struggle. One other plus - the players really do seem to have a good collective spirit and to be playing for each other. That kind of collective effort is worth a lot of points over the course of a season.
I think it the win is worth getting excited by, the performance wasn't though, however the confidence that the players gained noticeably through the game was great to watch. If we can put that level of confidence together with the performances that we had been seeing before our ill-fated trips to manchester then we might finally start to look like a good team.
yesterday was not solely a 'lucky' win. we were low on confidence and being outplayed before getting a little bit of luck which we've been desperate for with the penalty. we then saw confidence rise and we won a game despite playing poorly. it was far from pure luck that gifted us the game - the players dug in and fought back. big difference between the two and we needed that little bit of good fortune. it goes a long way in football and we've had precious little this season
I'm sorry but as good as it was to get the points, the performance in that first half was truly dreadful ! Any side with a half decent striker would have put thAtgame to bed by half time. The pen was a very fortunate error that gifted us a goal, had that not happened I'm sure this mornings headlines would be all about Hughton being sacked. On a plus point it did show how a goal can lift a team & boy did those players need a lift ! At least it has proved one thing that CH hasn't lost the dressing room. For me today I'm pleased we won but I do t think much has hanged as far as my opinion of CH, he's still IMO not good enough, this will buy him till Xmas now but if the results & performances don't improve dramatically then that's the next way point to asses him.
this is a post of someone who has too many bees in their bonnet. for starters, two up front didn't really work (as stated by others) but this is far from the first time he has tried it, and secondly, why is a manager who was able to guide us to 11th so incapable of guiding us to 10th? sounds to me like you wish we'd lost.
